Beginner's guide to setup a kitchen

Cooking is my hobby. I never cooked on a daily basis. I would cook a
special dish on a Sunday with my parents. All shopping was done by my parents until I had to setup my own kitchen. Parents are so right when they tell us to learn everything before we stay by ourselves and we always learn it the hard way.

Setting up my kitchen was a
difficult task for me. Every time I made a list and went for shopping, I would miss out on so many things. It literally ended up not cooking what I want but cooking with available ingredients.

How many of you face this problem? You go to a grocery store and know that something is missing from your shopping list, and you end up remembering it only when you reach home.

So, I have a solution for you:

Below is a "MASTER LIST" for your kitchen.

You can use this list as a beginner or you can also use it as your checklist for your day to day grocery shopping.

Points to remember:

Setup your kitchen incrementally : It is difficult to plan and shop everything you need as once. As you continue cooking and spend more time in your kitchen, you'll have a better idea about things you need to shop.

Plan you kitchen space wisely: Shop according to your kitchen space. Plan accordingly on what you have to buy and how it has to be arranged.

The list consists of the basic
requirements in an Indian kitchen for 1-2 people and the quantity
mentioned is an approximate. You can buy things according to your needs.

Grocery shopping

If you are a newbie at cooking, then it becomes difficult to decide on what you need. Here is a list to help you out.

Perishable items : Can be bought every day or once a week depending on your requirement.

"Fresh the better".

Milk

Curd

Bread

Onion

Tomato

Green chilly

Ginger

Garlic

Coriander leaves

Curry leaves

Any other vegetables

You can buy ready made dosa/idli dough which is easily available locally

Perishable items : Can be bought and stored for a few days

Salt

Sugar

Tea powder

Coffee powder

Coriander powder

Jeera/cumin powder

Chilly powder

Turmeric powder

Garam masala powder

Mustard

Methi seeds

Coriander seeds

Jeera/cumin seeds

Dry red chillies

Cardamom

Cinnamon

Cloves

Star anise

Nutmeg

Toor dal

Chana dal

Pepper

Besan

Sambhar powder

Rasam powder

Any other masala powders if required

Utensils required: This is usually a one time buy. As you continue cooking, you'll know what more would you require and buy accordingly. Below mentioned list is enough to begin with.

Gas stove

Gas cylinder

Vessels (for heating milk, water, making coffee/tea)

Aluminum/Hindalium vessels

Frying pan non-stick for dosa

Tawa (for chapathi)

Kadai/Wok

Tong

Big bowls (for washing vegetables/rice)

Small bowls (for serving)

Dinner plates

Half plates

Tadka/ pan

Serving spoons

Teaspoons

Tablespoons

Glasses / Tumblers

Cups and saucers

Casserole

Pressure cooker (min. 3 lts)

Idli maker/Steamer

Chopping knives

Chopping board

Cutlery set

Strainer

Grater

Peeler

Chapathi making board and rolling pin

Scissors

Comment below let me know what do you think about this list and if I have missed anything.